"Avatar" grossed $749.8 million in its initial run, collecting the gargantuan box office over more than eight months. It grossed an additional $10.7 million when a special edition version was released in theaters in August 2010.

Overseas, "The Force Awakens" has collected just under $800 million, for a global gross of $1.56 billion so far. The movie opens this weekend in China, the world's second-largest box office market but one where the franchise is less well-known. That lack of familiarity means it will be tough for "The Force Awakens" to surpass "Avatar's" global gross, which was $2.78 billion.

Of course, any comparison has to take inflation into account. When ticket prices are adjusted, "Gone With the Wind" is far and away the No. 1 grossing film of all time, with $1.74 billion in domestic sales, according to Box Office Mojo. The original "Star Wars" follows with $1.5 billion. Even "Avatar" has enjoyed an adjusted boost in the six years since its release -- it sits in 14th place on the adjusted chart with $837.4 million.

"The Force Awakens" is creeping up the adjusted chart, too. It should soon pass (the George Lucas-produced) "Raiders of the Lost Ark" to take spot No. 20.